Akin parses stand on pet projects in Senate bid

Missouri Rep. Todd Akin has backed millions of dollars in pet projects in recent years. He even proudly defended one for military armor during a television ad in his Republican Senate primary.

Now Akin has aligned himself with a group that wants to ban home-state spending items known as earmarks. And the membership of the Senate Conservatives Fund has pledged $290,000 to help finance his cash-strapped campaign against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill.

Akin denies that it's a reversal and rejects any assertion of a quid pro quo for campaign cash.

But his nuanced position has opened a line of attack for McCaskill, who has been a vocal opponent of earmarks. McCaskill claims Akin's evolution undercuts his claim that he is a "principled conservative" who stands firm for his beliefs.